The Loveland Initiative

In the spirit of service, congregation and community, The Loveland Initiative invites you to the 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Sunday, January 15th from 6-9pm at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Parish Life Center on S. Lebanon Road.

The Celebration

Each year, TLI hosts this pot-luck dinner with speakers and musical expression exhorting Rev. Dr. King’s words of inspiration “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” This year guests will hear from the Reverends McCraney, Eilert and Melton from, respectively New Friendship Baptist Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Loveland Presbyterian Church. In addition, the Angels of Faith Youth Dancers, Soldiers for Christ Step Team, the Mass Choir of New Friendship Baptist Church, First Missionary Baptist Church Choir, the Oxford Gourd and Drum Ensemble and Cincinnati Drum and Tribal Dance will perform.

Share With Others

“We would like to welcome everyone to join our volunteers and clients for this positive and powerful event,” said Ms. Terri Rogers, TLI’s long-time Executive Director, “this is a COMMUNITY celebration and it is free and open to the public—so bring a dish to share as you join your neighbors in celebrating the birthday of one of America’s most important spiritual and inspirational leaders.”

If you would like more information about The Loveland Initiative or this event, please contact Ms. Terri Rogers at 513-677-1057 or trogers7@fuse.net.

Wee Three Kings Preschool, a ministry of Epiphany United Methodist Church, located at 6635 Loveland-Miamiville Road, is now registering for the 2012-2013 school year. We would love to have your child join our Preschool family. This year, you may access registration materials online at: www.weethreekings.org. You may also pick up forms in the Preschool office, Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration forms are due by February 2nd, by 3:00 p.m.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Stacy at 513-683-4256.

The New Year brings the start of new habits and promises to change our old behaviors. We promise to lose weight, we won’t waste as much time goofing off, and we want that new job! There are as many resolutions as there are people! There is one change that just might change your life and help you follow through with all the other life changes you have on your list.

There is a book I feel everyone should read. Not just those who claim to follow its tenets. That book is the longest running best seller, the Bible. There are so many things in this book that explain how man has built the moral fabric we live in today. If you dig deeper, it provides a history of God’s story of how much He loves us. It is a love letter to His people. It’s the story of Him sending His Son to make a way back to him!

There are 66 books in the Bible and it seems to be a bit overwhelming to some people. There are so many stories and so many histories of families that seem to go on for chapters at a time. One good way to get through the book is to use a reading plan. The reading plan gives you a small, finite piece of the book that you can read in 10-20 minutes a day and voila by next year, you have read the entire Bible. The amazing thing is, every time you read it through, you seem to get something more out of it, something deeper, something previously hidden.

One of the most popular places to go for a reading plan is Bible Gateway. They have plans that mix reading from the Old & New Testaments, a chronological plan, a front to back plan and one that follows the books in the historical order based on when they were written. They even have a 90 day plan if you think you might have trouble reading for a whole year.

Maybe it’s difficult for you to read, either due to eyesight or time in your day. There’s an answer for that too. The site DailyAudioBible.com has a daily podcast with host Brian Hardin. They read from four books daily in a segment that runs from 15-25 minutes, with Brian offering perspective on the daily reading at the end. It’s a great way to follow a daily regimen and feel like part of a community!

Let us know if you decide to follow these plans. We would love to know which ones you’ve chosen and how interesting they are in how they present the content.

We’ve waited all year! The most exciting community celebration is back! Tonight, we are celebrating Christmas in Loveland in our own special way! This evening the community has the opportunity to come together to make a statement that we are not all that different from each other. We have great things left for this country and especially for this city. We gather around the bonfire downtown and we sing carols to celebrate the birth of our Lord, but it should also be about the opportunity to reach out to those of all faiths. Christmas in Loveland is a gathering that brings kids of all ages downtown to meet and spend some time with friends and to meet new friends.

If you’ve attended before, you know about the children’s train and the visit a certain jolly old man will be making to Loveland Canoe & Kayak. You will have experienced the wonderful ride on the horse drawn wagons. You might even have gone upstairs to listen to the Loveland Music Academy. they always have continuous performances during the night. But did you know that the Schickel Gallery is usually open? They are scheduling a book signing this year, so make some time to visit the gallery and Joe Schickel will be signing his book, Face to Face: Conversations with my Father from 6-8pm. The Loveland Music Center will also be open, hopefully several instructors will be available.

You might have experienced the bread pudding that Tano’s Bistro hands out, but this year, Tami will open the Cafe on the Trail for the night! If you are a fan of the Cafe, you should stop by and say hi! Sadly, we might be losing Caffeine Dreams, so make it a point to stop by and say hello and hear Ellen Mershon play for the evening.

One of the things I love best is walking through the area watching the families and the children while listening to the choirs on stage at Roncker’s. The kids all love the petting area near the nativity. I’m always fascinated by the angels on top of the creche. It’s interesting how different people enjoy the different events during the night. We were originally fascinated by the roasting chestnuts, having never tried them. You hear about them in song for years and then, joy of joys you get to try them!

Perhaps you love theater? Well, Loveland Stage Company is doing 3 shows tonight, 5, 6 and 7pm! Make it a point to come downtown and visit for some holiday cheer! Speaking of cheer, make sure to stop by Tano’s, Paxton’s, Julian’s, The Works or Cindy’s during or after the event and have some holiday cheer! Just be mindful and safe!

The Loveland Library will be having story time for the kids at Comey & Shepherd this year! They always do a good job bringing life to their reading. Just down the street, Pizazz will once again have the elves out painting the children’s faces. And of course, Loveland Sweets is just next door with lots of treats for the season!

Santa will indeed be at Loveland Canoe & Kayak again this year to get those last minute decisions by the children for their Christmas list. The elves have been hard at work cleaning up after the recent rains. You should make sure to stop by and high five the old guy! Loveland Hardware has an interesting guest this year. Ebenezer Scrooge will be there will a special challenge for you!

One of the most fascinating things will be at the Whistle Stop Clay Works. They are letting you glaze a free ornament during their Raku firing. A Raku is an incredible furnace that heats up the clay to 18000 degrees and then the ornaments are plunged into paper and then into water. I’m told it is an incredible experience, one not to miss. The expected times to watch the event are 5:30 and 7. I think they would like you to be there 30 minutes early to glaze your ornament.

We hope you and your family will take the time to make some new memories with us this year! We know a lot of the businesses downtown and they really look forward to seeing you and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Loveland United Methodist Church is holding their annual turkey dinner, silent auction and bake sale. It’s a great way to support those in need through the L.I.F.E Food Pantry. Mark your calendar for Saturday Nov 5th!

Here are some more details!

Sunday October 30, if you are looking for an alternative to the neighborhood hassle, check out this kid safe idea. It’s called the Trunk or Treat celebration and there will be inflatables, food, drinks and all the candy you can gather! It’s free and open to everyone. 6-8PM in the church parking lot on Loveland Madeira road.

The Loveland Inter Faith Effort (L.I.F.E.) Food Pantry would like to remind all those backyard gardeners, that the food pantry, located at 101 S. Lebanon Road (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church) is accepting your extra produce. If you have too many zucchini, they will take them. Too many tomatoes, they will take them! Produce can be dropped off during pantry hours; Wednesdays 10 am until 1 pm – Thursdays 4 pm until 7 pm – Saturdays 10 am until 1 pm. Questions: 513-583-8222, or email lifefoodpantry@yahoo.com.

L.I.F.E.’s Mission – To provide faith-based emergency assistance and services to residents within the Loveland, Ohio School District, and to members of our supporting congregations, while working to identify needs and develop programs that will encourage self-sufficiency in individuals and families.

The L.I.F.E. food pantry is located in Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 101 South Lebanon Road in Loveland, Ohio 45140. Enter the double glass doors of the Parish Life Center.

The July Ice Cream Social is highlighted with a classic car show for you to browse and pick your favorites. Last year we had nearly 70 cars, with cars and trucks from the 20’s to the 70’s, immaculate restorations to custom hotrods. Registration begins at 1:30 PM, show begins at 3 PM, and trophies will be awarded at 5:30 PM. Enjoy one (or all) of our homemade flavors- vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, raspberry, strawberry, peach, butter brickle, and butter pecan.

Event details here!

Wee Three Kings Preschool, a ministry of Epiphany United Methodist Church in Loveland, has openings for the 18-24 month Parent’s Day Out classes. Classes meet from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Parents may choose one or two days a week. This is a great opportunity for your child to learn and play with children his/her own age, while you get some much needed time to yourself. Hurry, spots are filling fast! If interested, please call Stacy
at 683-4256.

Epiphany United Methodist Church, in their vision and long-range planning, wanted to start a church-directed Preschool. Wee Three Kings Preschool is a result of that vision and was established in September, 2002!

Our name, Wee Three Kings, is derived from the Three Wise Men search under the brightest star for the Newborn King, Jesus. Epiphany (twelve days after Christmas) celebrates this special visit of the Wise Men to the Christ Child.

The annual Back to School Fair—presented by The Loveland Initiative and the Loveland Inter-Faith Effort (L.I.F.E.)—will be held Saturday, August 20th from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s Parish Life Center (gym).

Qualifying families who meet income and residency guidelines are invited to sign-up to take part between July 1st and August 6th during L.I.F.E Food Pantry hours Wednesday 10:00-1:00 / Thursday 4:00-7:00 / Saturday 10:00-1:00.

“In 2010, the Back to School Fair assisted 193 students in grades pre-K through High School from 123 families in the Loveland City School District. This year we expect that number to rise due to the continued economic recession,” said Ms. Karen LaCroix, member of the L.I.F.E. Board of Directors, “therefore it is important that families sign-up by August 6th. If you are not sure if your family qualifies, please do not hesitate to call us to find out more.”

Each registered student will receive: grade appropriate school supplies, a new back pack, new school shoes, a hoodie sweatshirt and a free haircut. Families will also have the opportunity to find out more about the services available through L.I.F.E. and The Loveland Initiative including the Food Pantry, the Resource Center and the Cool School Enrichment Program. Rounding out the day, community partners will be on hand to share information on safety, health and nutrition.

According to Ms. Terri Rogers, Executive Director for The Loveland Initiative, “This joint program is so much more than just handing out paper and pencils—it’s about preparing our children so that they can focus on learning and not on too small shoes or hand-me-down bags. It is about generating excitement and joy at the prospect of returning to school.”

Grade-specific supplies are still being collected. Please contact Terri Rogers at 677-1057 or by email at trogers7@fuse.net if your business, organization, church or temple would like to take part.